Indian Defence Review

The POINTER, Weapon Cueing System, developed by a team from Qioptiq, QinetiQ and ISTEC was displayed at this year’s Defexpo in India on the UKTI Stand mounted on a Hobson Industries Land Rover Patrol Vehicle Tactical (LRPV(T)), a Land Rover Defender specially developed for long range patrol applications and already in service with an overseas country. Pointer was first exhibited at Owning The Night at Bisley in 2009.

For the demonstration at DefExpo, India, Pointer was fitted on a Universal Gun Mount on a light weight ring with a .50 calibre machine gun on the Hobson LRPV (T) vehicle equipped with the Metravib PILARw gunshot detection system. Pointer can also be deployed on other weapon systems such as the 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). The system was also mounted on an ISTEC softmount, UGM and lightweight pedestal.

Mark Lee, of Istec Services, who is leading the Pointer marketing effort in India, said, “We briefed senior paramilitary officials on Pointer in late 2011 and they requested a demonstration this year. We are very grateful for the huge support we have received from UKTI in enabling this demonstration in India this month as well as exhibiting the system at DefExpo.”

Locating and indicating targets is a difficult and dangerous business. POINTER, the weapon cueing system can be easily netted to sensors providing rapid target indication directly to the weapon system user enabling those best placed to counter the threat to react.

Escalating global terrorism means an increase in counter insurgence, force protection and internal security duties. In such situations finding the target can be an individual or team activity. Once the target is found, the location needs to be indicated rapidly, accurately and intuitively. POINTER allows the best equipped person to deal with a threat as it passes onto a target electronically without drawing any undue attention to the spotter.

POINTER 

Handing off targets from Observation Posts and other positions to those who are best placed to deal with it is a difficult task. POINTER draws information from a network of observers, sensors and shooters and intuitively delivers the potential target information directly into the user’s view via a display indicating the target for visual identification and reaction. The mapping interface at the base station location means the target information can be easily assimilated by C2 staff dramatically reducing response times.

POINTER can be linked to almost any target location system for proactive planning and response or shot detection system to provide real time target information to weapon operators and improve force protection. Using information provided by C4ISTAR assets, shot detection systems or a simple map, POINTER sends target location information directly to the Head Up Display mounted on the weapon station. This system also enables multiple weapon systems to be cued onto the same or several different targets silently allocating priority as and when required.

When a threat is detected response time is critical. The networked lightweight battery-powered POINTER system can use almost any real time sensor and can easily be integrated with a variety of in service scopes, HMG’s and GMG’s. POINTER has been developed through collaboration between Qioptiq, ISTEC and QinetiQ to give those in the line of fire the support they need when they need it.

Peter Furness, QinetiQ Sales Manager, Pointer said, “Following our successful joint Pointer launch in India, I’m really looking forward to showcasing ‘Pointer’ further at forthcoming Eurosatory and DVD exhibitions in June.”

Technical Specifications

• Wireless Range – 1000m + (using PRR)
• <1 second transit time from sensor detection
• Base station runs on standard PC running XP design features
• Uses 4 x AA batteries
• 8hrs battery life from 4 AA on Rifle or 40hrs on HMG with BB 2590
• Fits 50 cal HMG and in-service 3-12 Sniper Scope as standard
• Can use SELEX EZ Personal Role Radio or equivalent as wireless link

Design Features:

• Easy to assimilate iconology in the users weapon sight
• Gives precise range and bearing to target
• Links shooters with the sensors (and other Shooters)
• Accurate weapon based target indication.
• Simple and intuitive
• Plots targets on base station map for rapid hand off to indirect fire
• HMG variant
• Fits to standard HMG and tripod
• Rifle variant clips directly to in-service 3-12 Sniper Scope
• Vehicle variant for crew served weapon stations
• Vehicle variant can provide on the move targeting with GMG and HMG
• Hand held monocular available

Key Points:

• Networks and links observer sensors and shooters.
• Information from a sensor such as a shot detector, Laser Range Finder or a simple map sent to the weapon itself. In real time.
• Intuitive and effective delivery of potential target directly into the user’s sight.
• Indicates the target optically for visual identification and implementation of RoE and combat ID.
• Mapping interface at the base station location for easy assimilation of target location by C2 staff.
• Reaction times can be dramatically reduced and tempo increased.
• Cues multiple weapon systems onto target silently
• Vehicle variant for fire support or convoy protection
• HMG variant provides rapid firepower onto detected targets.
• All forms of force protection where effects are required rapidly.

Scenario 1

A foot patrol encounters enemy fire and is pinned down. The location of the source of fire is verified and details sent from the patrol to an operating base via radio. The coordinates of the enemy position is then transmitted to the other stations operating POINTER. They may be supporting mobile or aerial patrol units. The support units are able to visually identify the enemy location and move quickly to engage, receiving coordinates and target information in real time via POINTER. The enemy threat may then be decisively neutralised allowing the patrol to move on and complete its mission.

Scenario 2 

A Forward Observation Base (FOB) comes under fire from an enemy location. The shots are instantly detected by the FOB shot detection sensor system and the location fed to POINTER. The POINTER system instantaneously sends out the location of the enemy to other gun positions, FOB and mobile units carrying POINTER. A response is decided upon and the target information is sent directly to those best placed to deal with the threat. The enemy are quickly moved on and engaged from several locations.